Pay No Interest Until 2019 with These Credit Cards

If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card (or cards), it’s likely you’re wasting your hard-earned money on interest fees. Did you know there’s a way to avoid paying interest? 0% intro APR credit cards can save you a ton of money because they don’t charge any interest for the term of the card’s 0% intro APR period, which means they can help you pay down (or off) your balance as well as save you some dough on new purchases. Right now credit card issuers are offering surprisingly long 0% intro APR periods, and the best part is you don’t need excellent credit to get them. If you have good credit — usually thought to be a score around the 700s — you can save some serious cash with some cards that have 0% intro APRs so generous you won’t pay a dime of interest on balance transfers or purchases until 2019! There’s even a great card for those with average credit, typically considered to be a score above 670, who also want to earn cash back.

We’ve researched the top 0% intro APR credit cards on the market, and narrowed the field down to the following cards that have some of the longest 0% intro APRs we’ve seen. These cards will give you the biggest bang for your buck, and as we mentioned above, are available to those with just good (or even average) credit.

Long 0% Intro APRs and Cash Back Rewards

Providing the same features and benefits usually only given to those with excellent credit, the Discover it Cash Back card is an excellent combination of a 0% intro APR, no annual fee and great cash back rewards, and it’s available to those with average to excellent credit (typically a credit score of 670+). First off, you’ll get an 14-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases (then it’s 13.74% to 24.74% variable), with a 3% balance transfer fee. Plus, you’ll earn a very generous 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum, currently $1,500, then it’s 1% back) and an unlimited 1% back on all other purchases. From January through March, you’ll earn 5% back at gas stations and wholesale clubs! You do need to sign up each quarter to receive the 5% back, but this is quick and easy to do with reminder emails from Discover. On top of that, Discover will match all of the cash back you earned at the end of your first year. So if you earned $300 cash back in your first year, Discover will match it and give you a total of $600 back! Discover it Cash Back cardholders will also pay no foreign transaction fees and get a number of added perks, as noted above. All-in-all, Discover it is the perfect combination of a 0% intro APR and lucrative cash back rewards, and you only need average or better credit to qualify.

Those who want a card that offers an impressive bonus, some solid cash back rewards and a 0% intro APR opportunity will be happy with the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card. Kicking things off is a $200 online cash rewards bonus that you’ll receive after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days — that’s a 40% bonus! Next, in terms of ongoing rewards, you’ll earn 3% cash back on gas and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500/quarter in combined gas/grocery/wholesale club purchases, then it’s 1% back). Cardholders will also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back rewards earned with the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card can be redeemed for a check or statement credit. Bank of America customers can also redeem their rewards for a direct deposit into their checking or savings account — doing so will earn them an additional 10% customer bonus! Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients who redeem their rewards for a direct deposit can earn a bonus of 25% to 75%, depending on their relationship status. Additionally, the card offers a nice 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 billing cycles (then a 14.99% to 24.99% variable APR applies), along with a 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers made in the first 60 days (after that, a 14.99% to 24.99% variable APR applies). Balance transfers come with a 3% or $10 balance transfer fee, whichever is greater, but the card may still be worth getting since this one-time fee is likely a lot lower than your current credit card’s interest rate. As if that isn’t enough, the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card, which is available to those with good to excellent credit (usually a credit score of 700 or higher), has no annual fee.

Longest 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers

Those who want the longest 0% intro APR on balance transfers should check out the Citi Diamond Preferred Card – 21 Month Balance Transfer Offer (a NextAdvisor advertiser). This card offers a stellar 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers for transfers completed in the first 4 months of account opening. The long 0% intro APR comes with a high balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 minimum), but this one-time fee may be worth paying if you need some extra time to pay down your balance. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card also offers a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, has no annual fee and provides cardholders with free access to their FICO scores.

Long 0% Intro APR and No Balance Transfer Fee

If you want a balance transfer card that you’ll want to continue to use long after the 0% intro APR expires, The Amex EveryDay Credit Card from American Express (a NextAdvisor advertiser) is the best option for you. That’s because this card not only offers a 15-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers requested in the first 60 days (after that, it’s 14.74% to 25.74%% variable), but it also has $0 balance transfer fee for transfers made in the same 60-day period — this can save you a ton of money! The card also has a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases (then it’s 14.74% to 25.74% variable) and no annual fee. On top of that, The Amex EveryDay Credit Card from American Express offers a generous intro bonus and ongoing rewards, which is why you’ll want it in your wallet for a long time. When you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, you’ll earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points — that’s equal to $100 in travel through American Express Travel! The card’s ongoing rewards also aren’t too shabby, as you’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year in purchases, then it’s 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, when you use your card to make 20 or more purchases in a billing cycle, you’ll earn 20% more points on those purchases! As if that isn’t enough, the Amex EveryDay Credit Card from American Express offers a number of American Express cardholder benefits, including travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, car rental loss and damage insurance and more.

Long 0% Intro APR and No Late Fees

Do you want a long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and no late fees or penalty APRs? If so, the Citi Simplicity Card – No Late Fees Ever is for you. In addition to having no annual fee, no penalty APR and no late fees, this card offers an impressive 18-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. There is a 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum), which is a bit higher than its competitors, but transferring a balance to the Citi Simplicity Card – No Late Fees Ever could still be worth it if your current credit card interest rate is really high. Other perks of the card include monthly access to your FICO score for free and a number of added benefits, including car rental insurance, travel assistance and more.

Long 0% Intro APR and Mobile Phone Protection

If you want to protect your mobile phone, take advantage of long 0% intro APRs, and pay no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Platinum Visa Card is for you. It starts off with an 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases. There is 3% intro balance transfer fee for the first 18 months, then it’s 5%, but if you’re moving your balances over from higher-interest cards, it could definitely be worth it. A big card bonus is that you’ll also enjoy mobile phone protection if you pay your phone bill with this card, reimbursing you up to $600 if your phone is stolen or damaged (there is a $25 deductible and a max of 2 claims annually). This protection is perfect for anyone who has known the pain of dropping their phone or having it taken from them. Altogether, this card hits the sweet spot for those interested in protecting their mobile phone who also want to pay no interest fees until 2019.

To see more cards that will help you avoid credit card interest, check our rankings of the best 0% intro APR credit cards. And if you’re planning to transfer a balance, be sure to plug in your transfer amount, monthly payment and credit level into our free Balance Transfer Calculator to see which card will allow you to save the most money.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This content was accurate at the time of this post, but card terms and conditions may change at any time. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card – 21 Month Balance Transfer Offer

Purchase APR

0%* for 12 months, then 14.74% - 24.74%* (Variable)

Balance Transfer APR

0%* for 21 months, then 14.74% - 24.74%* (Variable)

Highlights from the Issuer:

0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of first transfer. All transfers must be completed in first 4 months. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness

0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% - 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness

If you transfer a balance with this offer, after your 0% Intro purchase APR expires, both new purchases and unpaid purchase balances will automatically accrue interest until all balances, including your transferred balance, are paid in full

There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

I love the perks I get for applying and getting new credit cards, especially the 0% apr for a yr or more, it allows me to pay for anything I need with no interest added and make pmts I want to above the amt.due,but you do have to have a 0 balance at the end of the deal or you will be charged interest on the amt carried all yr. I am not fond of cards with a fee although they will usually give you a better deal at the end of the yr if you call to cancel.

700 is a decent credit score. The interest rate will probably be high. I bankrupted and within a month I had credit card offers like crazy. Capital One–Visa and m/c, Juniper … etc I waited till they had 0% and applied for them all . Low credit limit, but if you get enough of them? it may take care of what you need. REMEMBER the 0% is only for balance transfers and newly purchased items NOT what already have on your cards

0% is great but look at what the transfer fees are. anything over 2% , your really still paying the interest you think your saving. Read closely. Read what the interest rate will be after the 0% expires. I believe it’ll be outragous. You can always cancel the card, after the promotion. No harm no foul, just don’t it this too often. Your credit report is being run every time you apply for anything

Never cancel a credit card!! Pay it off but let it just sit with a zero balance. Closing it will hurt your credit to debt ratio, thus hurting your credit score. A paid off card will in time fall off your credit report but let nature take its course. Don’t cancel it yourself.

Comco22, great question! You may still qualify for a credit card, depending on what your credit type is. To help improve your chances of approval, we suggest you only apply for cards that fit your credit type, as there are some cards that require excellent credit for approval, where others require good or average credit for approval. You can use our free Find a Card tool to help find the best credit card options for you and your credit.

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These responses are not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. It is not the credit card issuer's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

About Author

Tasha Lockyer

Tasha has been working in Silicon Valley for the past 20 years, enjoying a long-lived career in Product Management and Marketing. She is currently the Vice President of Product Management for NextAdvisor, and in addition to product development, I.T. projects and an assortment of other endeavors, she has has spent the last 8 years covering all things credit, credit cards and identity theft protection. Her credit card analysis has been cited in a wide array of leading publications including Forbes, New York Times, Business Insider, CBS News and Huffington Post.

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